"This course was one of the best experiences I have ever had. Students often lack practical skills and knowledge. As a result, I value the practical exercises provided the most, as they focused on improving our abilities to perform trial processes." – said Keti Natatrishvili, a law student at Iakob Gogebashvili State University in Telavi.

Keti is one of 69 law students and young professionals who took part in a USAID Rule of Law Program-supported educational initiative that enhanced the practical skills of aspiring legal professionals. Implemented by the House of Justice (HoJ), the six-month long training program, during which trainings were given at five universities in five cities across Georgia, came to an end on September 29, 2023, with a mock trial held at Shota Rustaveli Batumi State University.

Deputy Rector of Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University Tamar Siradze and Head of HoJ Eka Beselia welcomed the event participants. “It is especially emotional to see students who traveled from Abkhazia at great risk participating in this course and being actively involved. As part of the program there were also more than 120 public lectures held throughout Georgia, with hundreds of students present and discussing human rights issue that concerned them.” – said Eka Beselia.​

The participants also heard from the Rusudan Tabatadze, the Rule of Law Project Management Specialist at the Democracy, Rights and Governance Office of USAID/Caucasus, and Giorgi Chkheidze, the USAID Rule of Law Program Chief of Party, who highlighted USAID’s continued support to legal education in Georgia.  

All of the students and young professionals who completed the educational course actively participated in this event. In addition, teams representing HoJ's partner universities – Zugdidi Shota Meskhia State University, Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, and Grigol Robakidze University (both Tbilisi and Batumi branches), Kutaisi Akaki Tseretely University, and Telavi Iakob Gogebashvili University – engaged in mock trial exercises, vying with one another in a competitive spirit. The event culminated in the presentation of certificates to all program participants.

The study programs delivered by HoJ at each of the five universities consisted of seven comprehensive courses designed to hone the practical skills and professional ethics of legal practitioners. These courses encompassed various critical aspects, including effective communication, emotional intelligence, practical methodologies for managing civil and criminal law cases, the art of negotiation, mediation techniques, and an in-depth exploration of European Court of Human Rights jurisprudence.

Sophiko Chaghalidze, a law student at Batumi Shota Rustaveli University, shared her personal growth: "I am naturally introverted, but I have always dreamed of becoming a lawyer. However, my fear of public speaking often hindered me. Thanks to this study program, my self-esteem has significantly improved and I can now express my opinions confidently on any topic."

The training courses were expertly led by seasoned professionals, encompassing lawyers, communication specialists, and psychologists, who tailored their instruction to address the practical demands encountered by legal professionals in their daily work. As an additional benefit, HoJ offered internship opportunities to approximately 20 participants in its own law firm, enabling them to apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills to real-world scenarios.

Davit Rusia, a lawyer commended the program's accessibility and effectiveness: "Each training course was explained and delivered in a straightforward manner, making them easily understandable. The HoJ training program greatly contributed to my personal growth, and I have even achieved a promotion at my current workplace. Among other valuable skills, I learned techniques for performing effectively in court trials."